Tips On How To Save Money On Food

Most of us endure periods in life where money is tight. Fortunately for us, there are specific expenses that we can simply do away with, for example cable TV, gym memberships, and dining out at restaurants. On the other hand, there are other expenses that we simply can’t avoid. Debt repayments, rent and school fees are just a couple of the necessary expenses that are set and there’s little we can do about it. Having said this, there is one necessary expense where we can all save a lot of money; and that expense is food.

Having undertaken some research, I’ve discovered there are a range of ways in which we can all save on food expenses. Naturally, dining out at restaurants is far more expensive than eating at home, but I’m referring to saving money on your weekly food bills. You’ll be amazed at just how much money you can save by adopting some helpful guidelines, so here are some simple tips that can save you thousands of dollars every year on your food bills.

Plan your meals and create a shopping list

Have you ever had to throw away food simply because it’s past its expiration date? I know I have! By planning each meal of the week, you can make sure that you just spend money on food that is needed. Look in your kitchen to find what ingredients you presently have, which ingredients you need to buy, and create a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for the coming week.

Many of us are guilty of impulse buying at the grocery store, so planning your meals and buying only the ingredients on your list will considerably minimise any impulse buying. Remember to always keep a paper and pen in the kitchen, so when you run out of a particular ingredient, you can write it down instantly and most likely avoid a 2nd trip to the supermarket. And always shop for groceries on a full stomach!

Don’t bring your children to the grocery store

In certain cases it can be tough to organise, but if you go grocery shopping when your kids go to school or in the evening when there’s someone to babysit them, you’ll save a considerable amount of money. Not only can you shop quicker, but you don’t need to drain your energy by saying ‘NO’ to your children every aisle. Generally this can become frustrating, so many people will give in here and there, and these unnecessary items will add up throughout the year a lot more than you’d imagine.

Go shopping at night

Speaking of shopping at night, you’re most likely to come across the best prices at this time of day. Large grocery stores will commonly discount goods when they’re overstocked, and perishable goods like bread, fruit and vegetables will also likely to be discounted. Although it may sound a tad harsh after a long day, you can bag a lot of bargains by shopping at night.

Buy in bulk

It should come as no surprise that buying in bulk will save you money, particularly on discounted items. Be careful though, you don’t want to purchase excessively and throw away food, but always bear in mind that you can prepare meals and freeze them for later in the week (or month). Butter, cheese, and bread will last as much as three months in the freezer, and meat products will generally last up to six months. Just ensure you have enough room in your freezer first!

Try discounted supermarkets

Discounted grocery stores like Aldi will always have goods that are more affordable than the supermarket giants like Woolworths and Coles. On the other hand, some products will be more costly, so try finding bargains at discounted supermarkets prior to visiting your normal grocery store. While you may not recognise some of the brands, the quality of the food is pretty much the same. The design is also different, so it may take a bit of getting used to, but if you intend to save money on food then this is an exceptional idea.

If you’re going through financial issues, always remember that there are practical ways to save a significant amount of money on one of your largest expenses. By making some minor changes along with a dash of discipline, you could potentially save thousands of dollars each year on your grocery bills.

If you find that your financial circumstance is still worsening, it’s always better to seek financial guidance sooner rather than later. Speak to the specialists at Bankruptcy Melbourne on 1300 879 867, or visit our website for more financial advice: www.bankruptcymelbourne.com